Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
CA 02315734 2000-08-04
MITLTI-FITNCTION MODULAR STORAGE NIGHT V14IT
Field of thg Inveati.oa
The present invention relates to portable light units,
in particular to a mufti-function portable light unit.
Background Iafo~ation '
Zn general, lights or flashlights used in combination
with radios or other auxiliary flashlights are well known. These
type of mufti-function light units may contain several different
functions (i.e., radio, flashlight, tape recorder, sa.ren, etc.).
However) each of these different functions are either built into
or permanently integrated into the housing unit of the light. In
other words, a user Cannot separate one functional component from
another. Therefore, if the user carried this mufti-function light
unit to a park, and wanted to detach, for example, the radio to be.
used in a_separate area of the park, the u.ser.would not be able to
do so because the radio is built into ox- is permanently. integrated
into the mufti-function light unit. Thus, the user must always
bring along the entire mufti-function light unit wherever the user
chooses to go.
Furthermore, none of these conventional mufti-function
light units contain any useful storage compartment. Instead,
these designs attempt to utilize any space available fox a
particular function such as a radio, another flashlight, etc.
Theref ore, when the user would like to store small valuables such
as first aid items or spare keys, the user must store those items
in his or her pocket, or find another place to store those items.
Ssnnmary of the Invention
The present invention solves the problem of having to
carry the entire mufti-function light unit everywhere with the
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user by providing a mufti-function light with detachable modules
which can be conveniently separated from the primary multi-
function light housing unit. Detachable modules in accordance
with the present invention include a radio and an auxiliary
flashlight. Each module may include a belt clip, so that the user
can carry the module hands-free.
In an exemplary embodiment, the detachable modules are
removably attached with a latching mechanism to the primary
housing unit. In a further exemplary embodiment, the detachable
modules are rernovably attached to the primary housing unit by the
belt clips on the modules.
The present invention also allows users to store small
valuable items by providing a storage compartment within the
primary housing unit.
Brief Description of the Draxing
Figure 1 is a side view of as exemplary embodiment of a
mufti-function modular storage light unit in accordance with the
present invention. .-..
2o Figure 2 is a side view of=the mufti-function modular
storage light unit of the side opposite from that of Figure.;i..
Figure 3 is a top view of the mufti-function modular ~"
storage light unit of Figures 1 and 2.
Figure 4 is a front view of the mufti-function modular
storage light unit of Figures s-3.
Figure 5 is a rear view of the mufti-function modular
storage light unit of Figures i-4.
Figure 6 is a perspective rear side view of the multi-
function modular storage light unlit of Figures 1-5, with the
storage compartment door in an open position.
Figure 7 is a perspective side view of the multi-
function modular storage light unit of Figures 1-6, showing a
detachable module detached from the main unit.
Figure 8 is a perspective side view of the multi-
function modular' storage light unit of Figures 1-7, showing a
detachable module detached from the main unit.
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Figure 9 is a view of a side of a detachable module
which faces the main unzt when attached to the multi-function
modular storage light unit.
Figure 10 is a cross sectional view of the multi-
function modular storage light unit.
Figure is is a cross sectional view of a detachable
module attached to an open pocket attachment sleeve of the primaxy
housing unit.
Figure 12 is a cross sectional view of a detachable
module attached to a closed pocket attachment sleeve of the
primary housing unit. w
Figure 13A is a perspective side view of an alternative
embodiment of the mufti-function modular storage light unit.
Figure 138 is side view of the primary housing unit of
Figure 13A.
Figuxe 13C is a front view of a detachable module of
Figure 13A.
Figure 13D is a side view of a detachable module of
Figure 13A.
Detailed b~escriptioa of the Invaata.on .
The present invention. relates to a mufti-::f~ulictian ~ ~ .
modular storage light unit 1 which comprises a primary housing
unit 2 and detachable modules~5, which fit and/or attach to the
primary housing unit 2_
The primary housing unit 2 may be of an ergonomic
design. As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the primary housing unit
comprises a handle 4 and a spotlight 6. The handle 4 is
preferably also of an ergonomic design that will. allow the user to
comfortably grip the handle, but may be of any design known to the
art. A power switch 3 is included for turning the spotlight 6 on
or off. The power switch may also be designed to adjust the power
of the spotlight. Any spotl~.ght as known in the art may be used.
Preferably, a spotlight with a krypton bulb that gives a powerful
broad light beam is used. The spotlight 6 may be powered by
batteries, which are located in the battery compartment 22 of the
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CA 02315734 2000-08-04
primary housing unit (see Figure 10), or by any other electrical
power means known in the art.
Furthermore, the primary housing unit 2 preferably
contains a storage compartment 9 to allow the user to store small
items. To maximize the space available, the storage compartment 9
is located on the primary housing unit 2 on the end opposite from
the spotlight 6. The storage compartment comprises a space 1$ for
holding small items, such as first aid or valuable items. The
space 18 is enclosed by a storage compartment door 16. The
20 storage compartment door 16 may be attached to the primary housing
unit 2 by a hinged connection 17 which allows the storage .
compartment door 16 to be moved into an open position (as shown in
Figure 6) to expose the space 18 or a closed position (as shown in
Figure 5) to cover the space 18. When moved into the closed
position, the storage compartment door 16 may be further secured
to the primary housing by a locking mechanism 10. Additionally,
it is preferred that the storage compaz~tment door 16 be designed
so it forms a water-tight seal to prevent or minimize any.li.quid
from reaching the ~.tems in space .18 when -the .door .16, is :in. the
closed position. -- . - ~ - _ y .,
zn an exemplary embodiment, the detachablevmodules 5~ -
include a detachable radio module a and a detachable au-xiliary .
flashlight module 7. By providing detachable modules, the present
invention allows the user to carry the radio 8, for example,
without having to take the entire primary housing unit 2 with the
user wherever the user chooses to go. The user is free tv choose
whether to take just one or two of the detachable modules '7 and 8,
or to bring along the entire multi-function modular storage light
unit 1.
Moreover, each of the detachable modules 7 and 8 is
powered by its own power source, such as separate batteries in its
own battery compartment (not shown), or by any other method known
in the art. A separate power switch is provided on each of the
detachable modules '7 and 8 for operating the respective module.
By individually powering each module 7 and e, the user may still
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CA 02315734 2000-08-04
use the detachable modules 7 and 8 even if the main power source
to the spotlight 6 fails.
Furthermore, as shown in Figure 9, each detachable
module 5 preferably includes a belt clip 1S attached thereto. The
be~.t clip 15 allows the user to carry the detachable module hands-
free by simply clipping the module onto a belt, pocket or any
other item. The belt clips 15 may be attached to the modules,
such as by screws or by any other means known in the art, or may
be integrated with the module housings.
to A mechani$m for attaching the modules 5 to the primary
housing 2 will now be described with reference to Figures ? and B.
In the preferred embodiment, guiding means are provided to allow
the modules to be aligned properly and consistently anytime the
modules are to be reattached to the primary housing unit. Figures
7 and 8 illustrate that such guiding means may include a series of
rails 12 located on the detachable modules 7 and 8 and as well as
corresponding rails 11 located on the primary housing unit 2.
When the detachable modules 7 and 8 are properly aligned~.the
ra~.ls 12 on the detachable modules 7 and 8 straddle the
corresponding rails 11 of the primary housing unit 2, as shovm in..,
Figures 1 and 2. In the alternative, the rails 1~-and 12 may ~e~
arranged so that the rails 11 straddle the rails 12.
Once the detachable modules '7 and 8 have been positioned
to be secured to the primary housing unit 2, a latching mechanism
13 is used to further accomplish the attachment. In the preferred
embodiment, the latching mechanism for each module includes a
projection 19 which slidably projects horizontally outward from
the primary housing 2 into the cavity into which the module 5 is
to be received. The projection 19 is attached to a knob 20 on the
side of the primary housing 2 by which a user can slide the
projection 19 into and out of the receiving cavity. The
projection 19 is preferably biased, such as by a spring (not
shown), to project into the receiving cavity.
To attach the module 5 to the primary housing, the user
pulls back the projection 19 via the knob 20 and slides the module
on the rails 7.1 into the receiv=ng cavity. Once the module 5 is
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fully seated in the cavity, the projection 19 is slid forward
(either by sliding the knob ~0 or releasing the knob: if spring
loaded) and is received in a corresponding opening 14 in the
module housing. The opening 14 aligns with the projection 19 when
the module S is properly positioned for attachment to the primary
housing unit 2. Once the projection 19 is in the corresponding
opening 14, the detachable module 5 is securely attached to the
primary housing uniC 2.
Although the latch~.ng mechanism 13 is shown an the back
1.0 portion of the housing 2, it can also be arranged on the front
end. Moreover, it may be possible-to eliminate the sets of rails
11 and 12 on the side of the module 5 which receives the
projection 19.
- An alternative guiding arrangement is shown in Figures
13A-13D. In this embodiment, one or more rails 11 are arranged on
the primary housing 2 opposite from the latching mechanism 13.
The module S includes one or more recesses 120 which correspond. to
the one or more rails 11 on the housing. An opening 14
Corresponding to the projection.l9 of the.latching mechanism 13 is
arranged on the opposite end of the module 5.
Several alternative arrangements are possible within the
scope of the invention. For example, one or more additional rails
11 may be arranged on the housing 2 on the opposite side of the
module receiving cavity, with a corresponding one yr more
additional recesses 120 arranged on the opposite end of the module
5. Furthermore, any combination of rails and corresponding
recesses may be provided on the primary housing 2 and each moduJ.e
5 (e. g., rails on the modules and recesses on the primary housing;
a rail on one end of the module and a recess on the other end; a
recess and a rail on one end of the module and a recess and a rail
vn the other end, etc.) Moreover, the latching mechanism ~.3 may
be arranged on the module 5 and the corresponding opening 14 may
be arranged on the primary housing 2.
In an alternative embodiment, the detachable modules 7
and 8 may be attached to the primary housing unit 2 by using the
belt clip 15 as an alternative latching mechanism. In this
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CA 02315734 2000-08-04
embodiment, a sleeve 23 for receiving the belt clip 15 therein is
provided on the inner wall of the module~receiving cavity, as
shown in Fxguxe e. A module 5 is thus attached to the primary
housing 2 by clipping it via its respective belt clip to the
sleeve 23.
Alternative embodiments for the sleeve 23 are shown i.n
Figures 11 and 12. As shown in Figure 11, the sleeve 23 may be an
open pocket sleeve, whereby the clip 15 passes through the sleeve
15. The belt clip preferably comprises a barb 15o at its free
end. In the embodiment of Pigure 11, when fully seated in the'
sleeve 23, the barb 150 catches on the bottom rim of the sleeve,
thereby securing the belt clip 15 in the sleeve 23.
As shown in Figure 12, the sleeve 23 may include a ridge
24 in its interior which engages the barb 150 of the clip 15.
Those skilled in the art will realize that various
changes and modifications may be made to the invention without
departing from the spirit of the invention arid it is intended to
claim all such changes and modifications as falling within the
scope of the invention. ~ ~ ~ . .- .. .. - -
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